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Breaking the link between drugs and crime has long been a national priority. NDAA and APRI hosted a select group of prosecutors and senior government officials in a two-day symposium at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina in mid-December 2002. Federal officials explained the missions and efforts of their respective agencies, and the prosecutors shared their ideas about promising strategies and practices in drug prosecution, prevention and treatment.
Former New Orleans District Attorney Harry F. Connick, Sr. described a voluntary hair analysis drug testing initiative that he spearheaded to detect and reduce drug abuse in private and public schools. Kings County (Brooklyn), New York, District Attorney Charles J. Hynes discussed the Drug Treatment Alternative-to-Prison (or “DTAP”) program, which his office has administered for more than a decade. Both of these innovative approaches to prevention and treatment have demonstrated success, and both have significant potential for replication nationally. Prosecutors Bill Ritter (Denver, CO), Mary Galvin (Milford, CT), and David Barber (Birmingham, AL) also spoke of promising approaches and challenges in their communities. NDAA Director of Education Tom Charron actively participated throughout the discussion.
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Newman Flanagan
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President, American Prosecutors Research Institute
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The Department of Justice provided key information and insights. Sarah V. Hart, Director, National Institute of Justice, spoke of research developments. Richard Nedelkoff, Director, Bureau of Justice Assistance, outlined developments with drug courts and drug task forces. Mr. Michael Ciminelli of the Drug Enforcement Administration presented on designer drugs—especially Ecstasy—and the impact on users. Dr. Steven Smith of the Bureau of Justice Statistics provided a national overview of felony drug convictions in state and federal courts.
Mr. Scott Burns, Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), addressed topics regarding the President’s National Drug Control Strategy, including prevention and education, treatment, and dismantling trafficking networks.
Judge Eric Andell, Deputy Undersecretary, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools in the Department of Education addressed developments in his department, including drug testing initiatives. Dr. Westley Clark, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment in the Department of Health and Human Services, described improvements in capacity, accountability and treatment effectiveness.
As follow-up to the symposium, APRI plans to publish and disseminate a Special Topics monograph with meeting highlights and possible next steps toward providing prosecutors the assistance they need. Look for announcements on our website.
Newman Flanagan, President,
American Prosecutors Research Institute
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